Combination trap and circuit closer for can-seaming machines



Nov. 19, 1929. M. RIVERA 1,736,692 COMBINATION TRAP AND CIRCUIT CLOSERFOR CAN SEAMING MACHINES Filed Dec. 8, 1928 v 2 SheetsjSheet 11 InvenmrMwwZ/w 7811/9722 r Attorney Nov. 19, 1929. M. RIVERA 1,736,092

COMBINATION TRAP AND CIRCUIT CLOSER FOR CAN SEAMING. MACHINES Inventorvfliriv' cpz'no 21 9/22 I Attornqy- Patented Nov. 19, .1929

UNITED STATES :PATET.

MAncpLINo RIVERA-F NEW YORK, N. Y.

Application filed December The present invention pertains toimproveinents in can seaming machines and more specifically hasreference to a novel trap for retaining a can upon which a cap has notbeen clinched.

In the canning industry, the cans first go through a clincher beforethey reach the vacuum seaming mechines, where they have the capsclinchedin place to be later seamed by the vacuum seaming machine. Thepresent difiiculty experienced by workers in this industry contendingwith these types of canningmachines resides in the damage occasioned'bythe lack of the clincher to operate in placing a cap on each and everyone of the cans passing therethrough, for if a can is permitted to passthrough the clincher without having a cap clinched thereon, said caplesscan will be sure to cause disruption of the vacuum seaming means,requiring considerable delay in work and frequently ex pense inrepairing machinery damaged by these machine failures.

The prime object of this, invention is to provide a deviceinterposed-between the clincher and the vacuum seaming machine so asto'test each can to ascertain whether the same has a cap placed thereonor not.

Another important object 'of" the inven-' tion is to provide a trap ofthis character for holding the capless cans passing from f the clincherto the seaming machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combined trap andcircuit closing device for effecting a signal when a capless can isretained by the trap.

These and other objects of the invention will become. apparent to thereader after considering the following description and claims.

In the drawings: Figure '1 represents a side elevation of the improvedtrap showing the same in engaged 4 position with acapped can, part ofthe can being shown broken away.

Figure 2 is a top-plan view of the trap engaged with a capped can.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the trap shown engaged with a caplesscan and in the 8, 1928. Serial No. 324,734. 4

act of closing a signal circuit, part-of the can being shown broken.away. v

Figure 4 is a perspective View of a detail of the invention. Figure 5 isa perspective view of "another detail of the'invention. r

Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals designate like parts,the usual table A is shown in Figures 1,2, and 3, for supporting thecans during-their passage between the clincher and the seaming machine.At a predetermined point on the table'A, a pair of upstanding members1-1 are mounted in spaced relation, the same being flanged at theirlower portions to provide means whereby'they may be secured tothe tableA. .The table is provided with the usual side rails B.

A T-shaped plate 2 has its vertical ortion formed with a pair oflongitudinally extending slots 3-3. The horizontal portion of the platehas its end portions bent laterally as at 4,each bent end portion beingformed with an opening 5, whereby it may be pivotal ly connectedto theupper end portion of one of the posts 1-1. The intermediate portion ofthe-plate 2'at its horizontal portion is provided with a plate 6projecting laterally and having push button circuit closing device 7 ofconventional design, suitably secured thereto. 8D In Figure 5 of thedrawings, another de tail of the invention includes an elongated bar 8formed with a pair of threaded openings 9.9. Screw members 1010 aredisposed through the slots 33 and are engaged within the openings .9 9for slidably connecting the bar 8 to the T-shaped plate 2. Thebar 8 isprovid'edwith an upstanding pin 11 at its intermediate portion, and adepending fin 12 at its under side. The fin 90 .12 is formed to providea bevelled edge 13, against the direction of travel of the can.

One end of the bar 8 is provided with an upstanding plate 14. Theopposite end of the bar is provided with a pair of oppositely disposedlateral arms 15-15. I

These arms at their intermediate portions are bent downwardly and thenoutwardly, in the manner designated by the numeral 15. The distancebetween the downwardly bent portion of each arm 15 is substantially lessthan the width of the cans in transit on the table A. y A coiled spring1.7 is interposed'between the pin 11 and the upstanding plate 6 ontheT-shaped plate 2. i

Obviously, when the can C which has not been provided with a cap by theclincher passes against the bevelled edge 13 of the fin 12, the bar 8will be caused to move upwardly. v

As is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, as the can C moves under thebar 8, the fin 12 will merely ride across the cap of the can, and in"this manner each and every can is given H a test, I 15 However, when acan without a cap passes beneath the fin 12', the fin will drop into thecan.- The dropping of the fin into the can will also cause thedisposition of the arms 1515 as shown in Figure 3. The movement of thecan C against the arms 1515 will effeet a pull on thebar 8, resulting inthe contacting of the upstanding plate 14 with the push button 7. Thiswill cause a. circuit to be closed and a signal given to responsibleper- It willthus be seen that the present device Will save considerabledamage to machinery while, in itself, because of simple construction,will be of nominal cost to install.

s It is to be understood that certain changes in the specific shape,size and materials may be resorted to, without departing from the spiritof the" invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A trap for capless cans on the travellingtables of canning machinescomprising a support,a pivotal member on said support, a

feeler member on said pivotal member, and aniarm on said feeler memberfor engaging andholding the capless can after the feeler has engagedwithin thesame.

- v 2. trap for capless cans on the travel' ling tables of canningmachines comprising iii-combination, a stationary support, a memberp'voted to said support, a bar slidably connected to said pivotalmember, a feeler on said bar for enga ing within capless cans, an armon\the bar for engaging the can after the feeler has engaged withinthecan, and a circuit closin means between the bar and the pivotal ;mm eroperable-by the sliding of,

x, the bar effected by the moving can. a

In testimony whereof I affiX mysignature.

v MABCELINO RIVERA.

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